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Adan Mohamed, the KRA boss interviewed and sworn in within 3 days
Adan Mohamed
Former Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary and Barclays Kenya Managing Director Adan Mohamed has been sworn in as Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner-General, coming a day after a petitioner rushed to court to block his appointment.
Mr Mohamed took the oath at the Supreme Court premises on Wednesday morning, with board chair Ndiritu Muriithi among the guests invited to oversee the ceremony.
His name was gazetted on May 18, following the interview of seven candidates shortlisted for the plum job. Following his appointment, a petitioner, Mr Benard Opere, filed a court challenge against the decision.
He argued that the appointment violates the Constitution, Section 80 of the Public Service Commission Act, and the relevant governing regulations.
“Unless this honourable court urgently intervenes, the 6th respondent (Mr Adan) will assume and discharge the functions of the Commissioner-General of the Kenya Revenue Authority, make far-reaching administrative and financial decisions, and entrench an unconstitutional appointment, thereby rendering any subsequent order of this court nugatory and incapable of effective enforcement,” he said.
However, hours after his court petition was filed, Mr Mohamed would be sworn in as KRA boss at a low-key ceremony in Nairobi.
The period between interviews and his swearing-in is 3 days. Interviews were conducted Monday, and the top candidate, Mr Mohamed, was announced the same day.
He replaces Humphrey Wattanga, who exited the taxman in April.
Mr Wattanga had refused to resign amid pressure from the National Treasury, a stand that pushed the taxman’s Board of Directors to fire him on Wednesday evening.
Hours after his removal from the corner office at Times Tower, President William Ruto nominated Mr Wattanga for the position of High Commissioner in South Africa.
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